Obituaries

Mary Lou (Novotny) Chambers Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/23/2024 - 10:56am

MARY LOU (NOVOTNY) CHAMBERS passed away peacefully on Jan. 8, 2024 at her dauther Jody’s (Wayne) home in Saginaw, MN, surrounded by her three daughters and son-in-law. She was born May 20, 1933 in Crosby to John Albert and Rosella (Moen) Novotny. Her mother Nora passed away when Mary Lou was four. At the age of five she was raised by her father and stepmother, Anna Christine Novotny. Mary Lou attended Crosby-Ironton schools. On June 17, 1950 she was married to Allen Baxter Chambers.

James "Jim" William Raymond Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/23/2024 - 10:54am

JAMES "JIM" WILLIAM RAYMOND, 93, of Duluth, passed away on Jan. 10, 2024 at Elysian Senior Living. He was born in Deerwood on Sept. 22, 1930 to Louie and Isabel Raymond. After graduating from Crosby-Ironton High School, he got a job on the Thomas Wilson sailing the Great Lakes and served in the Naval Reserves. He married the love of his life, Caroline Elmer, on June 9, 1951 in Deerwood.   He began stock car racing at Proctor Fairgrounds - #11, from 1953 to 1961 where he won his fair share of victories.

Roger Dale Bentley, Sr. Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/23/2024 - 10:52am

ROGER DALE BENTLEY, SR., 83, of Crosby, formerly of Minneapolis, passed away on Jan. 6, 2024. Roger was born on Friday, the 13th of December, 1940 to Loren and Lydia Bentley in St. Cloud. Roger enlisted in the U.S. Army tank division and served in Germany.  He retired from the Propane Industry after 30+ years of service. Roger was formerly an active member of the Cuyuna Range Riders ATV Club.  He proudly volunteered with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources  providing safety training for youth to obtain a permit to operate ATVs.

Neal Raymond Buchite Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/23/2024 - 10:51am

NEAL RAYMOND BUCHITE, SR., 76, of Nisswa, died on Dec. 27, 2023 at his home.  He was born on Oct. 17, 1947 in Crosby to Hugh and Eulrlie “Lillian” (Chenevert) Buchite.  He was a retired employee of Grandview Lodge in Nisswa with 25 years of service.   Preceding Neal in death are his parents; wife Cheryl Buchite; six brothers, Hugh Jr., Alfred, Morris, Willard “Wink”, Michael, and Ronnie Buchite and granddaughter, Monica Buchite. Neal is survived by four sons, Brian (Suzy) Buchite of Brainerd; Tim (Linda) Buchite of Barrett; Neal “Chip” (Adel) Buchite, Jr.

John Thomas Fillmore Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/23/2024 - 10:50am

JOHN THOMAS FILLMORE, 72, of Brainerd, passed away on Jan. 5, 2024. John was born on Feb. 10, 1951, in Minneapolis to George and Beverly (Dolan) Fillmore. He attended Central High School in Minneapolis before he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp. John did two tours in Vietnam and then was stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. After being discharged from the Marine Corp, John studied electrical, major appliances, and A/C repair. He installed welding machines and worked in robotics at Minneapolis Oxygen and later at Central McGowen where he retired after 14 years in 2013.

Richard Thomas Balder Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/23/2024 - 10:49am

RICHARD THOMAS BALDER of Palmdale, CA died with his brother, Bruce at his side, on Thursday, Jan. 11 following complications of a hip fracture. Richard was born in Crosby on April 22, 1953 to Willard and Elvera Balder. He was raised in Hoyt Lakes and graduated from Aurora-Hoyt Lakes High School in 1972. He left the cold winters of northern Minnesota for the warmth of sunny California, with never a desire to move back. He was very proud of his 25 year career as a stage technician in Hollywood and Los Angeles, CA.  He retired from MGM and Paramount studios in 2000.

Clayton R. Carstensen Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/23/2024 - 10:48am

CLAYTON R. CARSTENSEN, 93, of Crosby (formerly of Kasson) passed away Dec. 31 at Twin Ports Care Center in Superior, WI. He was born Dec. 14, 1930 in Dodge Center to Nels and Effie (Holt) Carstensen. Clayton served in the U.S. Army from September 1950 to 1953 as a Sergeant in the Korean War. He married Darlene Hughes on Jan. 29, 1955 at East St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Byron. Clayton worked as a mechanic at Syverson Patterson, Yellow Cab and he retired from IBM in Building Maintenance in 1992. After retirement, Clayton and Darlene moved to Serpent Lake in Deerwood.

Richard "Dick" Harrison Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/23/2024 - 10:47am

RICHARD "DICK" HARRISON, 90, died Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, at his home in Crosby. He was born on April 24, 1933 in Crosby to Eugene and Delina (Bellefeuille) Harrison. He married Eileen Marie Bodin on Sept. 20, 1952 in Virginia, MN. A life-long resident of Crosby, Richard was a talented mechanic, inventor and real estate developer. He co-founded Trail-A-Sled, Inc. (Scorpion Snowmobiles) in 1959. Following Scorpion, Richard pursued an expansive land development career in central Minnesota. An avid outdoorsman, hunting, fishing and tinkering were just a few of his many passions.

Janice Eileen Moritz Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/23/2024 - 10:46am

JANICE EILEEN MORITZ, 87, of Crosby, died on Jan. 5, 2024 at the Cuyuna Regional Medical Center Care Center in Crosby.  She was born in Brainerd on June 15, 1936 to Olaf and Elda (Foote) Olander.  She married Raymond Moritz on Sept. 26, 1953 in Crosby.  Janice attended the Crosby-Ironton High School, together with her husband built the Parkview Drive-in in Crosslake in 1962 until they sold in 1968, managed the Dairy Bar in Crosby, owned and operated the North County Café and the Sundown Café in Crosby.

Joanne Watlov Boblett Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/23/2024 - 10:45am

Joanne Watlov Boblett, 67, passed away peacefully at home after a courageous 11-year battle with fallopian tube cancer.  Joanne was guided through this journey by her incredibly strong faith in the Lord, living without fear of dying, knowing she would be with Him. Joanne was born Jan. 17, 1956 to Reuben and Gladys Watlov in Minneapolis and spent her childhood in Fridley. She graduated from Fridley High School, and attained her teaching degree at Bethel College in St. Paul. She was a star athlete in several sports in high school and college.